Jim Turner (Congressman)

Jim Turner (born February 6, 1946), American politician, was the Democratic representative for the Texas 2nd Congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 until 2005.

Related Topics:
February 6 - 1946 - American - Politician - Democratic - Texas - 2nd Congressional district - U.S. House of Representatives - 1997 - 2005

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Turner received a bachelor's degree in business, and simultaneously earned a Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctor, all at the University of Texas at Austin.

Related Topics:
Master of Business Administration - Juris Doctor - University of Texas at Austin

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Prior to being elected to Congress, Turner held several state and local offices. He was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1981 – 1984, mayor of Crockett, Texas from 1989 – 1991, and a member of the Texas State Senate from 1991 – 1996. He also served as aide to Texas Governor Mark White for two years.

Related Topics:
Texas House of Representatives - 1981 - 1984 - Crockett, Texas - 1989 - 1991 - 1996 - Mark White

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After 2nd District Congressman Charlie Wilson, who was known for his role in funding the resistance to Afghanistan's Communist government, decided not to run for an 11th term, Turner won the Democratic nomination to succeed him and was handily elected in November 1996. Congressman Turner was a member of the Armed Services Committee, and was the ranking minority member of the House Committee on Homeland Security. A fiscally conservative Democrat, Turner was a member of both the Blue Dog Coalition and the New Democrat Coalition.

Related Topics:
Afghanistan - November - 1996 - Armed Services Committee - House Committee on Homeland Security - Blue Dog Coalition - New Democrat Coalition

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In 2003, Turner was one of the targets of a highly controversial redistricting engineered by Tom DeLay. The Texas Legislature dismantled his district, which covered a large portion of East Texas stretching from Lufkin to the suburbs of Houston, and split its territory among three districts. His home in Crockett was thrown into the Fort Worth/Arlington-based 6th District, represented by 10-term Republican Joe Barton. Believing he had no realistic chance of staying in Congress, Turner decided not to run for a fifth term in 2004. He has saved up his campaign money & is considering a run for Governor of Texas or U.S. Senate in 2006.

Related Topics:
2003 - Tom DeLay - Texas Legislature - East Texas - Lufkin - Houston - Fort Worth - Arlington - Republican - Joe Barton - 2004 - Governor - Texas - U.S. Senate

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He has two children, John and Susan, both attorneys, with his wife Ginny.

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